March 12: The government has pledged to utilize all state mechanism in an integrated way to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The government made such announcement during an all-party meeting called by the High-Level Coordination Committee to Control COVID-19 at the office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday to review the works of the government and to take suggestions from all parties.

The participants of the meeting called by Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokharel, who is the coordinator of the committee, discussed about the efforts made by the government to prevent an outbreak in Nepal and the future strategy.

Leaders of the opposition parties attending the meeting said that the measures adopted by the government so far are not effective to prevent the disease that has spread to over 100 countries and killed more than 3500 people.

The main opposition party Nepali Congress has suggested the government to expedite preparedness to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 in the country.    
NC leader Gagan Thapa said that they suggested the government to take steps in an integrated manner by incorporating all sectors to combat the deadly disease.    
The participants of the meeting suggested the government to make arrangement to keep those entering Nepal from coronavirus-affected countries in quarantine for at least two weeks and to improve the service of the hospitals.    
Likewise, Rajendra Shrestha of Samajbadi Party shared that the meeting focused on how to cope with the possible spread of COVID-19 in a united manner at a time when the World Health Organisation has put Nepal at high risk of coronavirus.    
Nepal Communist Party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, senior leaders Jhalanath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, NC leader Bal Krishna Khand, Rajendra Mahato of Rastriya Janata Party, Shrestha of Samajbadi Party and ministers were present in the meeting chaired by committee coordinator Ishwar Pokharel.